The death toll from the gun attack on a church funeral in Jordan has risen to nine, with about 40 people wounded, as security forces continue to hunt for the gunmen and the country observes three days of national mourning. Gunmen opened fire on Friday 23 October during a funeral at the Greek Orthodox Church of St George in the village of Hmoud, near Karak in southern Jordan, about 180 kilometres south of Amman. Jordan's Public Security Directorate first reported seven dead and 34 injured; the toll rose over the weekend as wounded mourners died in hospital.

What happened at the funeral

Witnesses said the shooting began about 15 minutes into the service and lasted several minutes, sending mourners scrambling for cover behind the altar and furniture. State television footage showed armed men approaching the church and firing before running towards the entrance. Between 150 and 200 people were in and around the church, and most of the victims were reported to be aged between 50 and 70. No group has claimed responsibility, and reports of a video in which attackers allegedly pledged allegiance to Islamic State remain unverified.

National response and mourning

King Abdullah II condemned the attack as terrorism and vowed a harsh response, visiting injured victims at Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein Hospital. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said the attack stemmed from extremist takfiri ideology and that Christians are part of Jordan's national fabric, while the government declared three days of mourning with flags at half-mast. Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour said wounded patients remained in hospitals across the country, some in critical condition.